More To Bouncing Ball

ABSTRACT

Easy to assemble and disassemble gaming apparatus that allows a single player to play a game comparable to Tennis and/or Ping Pong in a limited space environment The proposed game apparatus also allows a single player to perfect his or her skill.

REFERENCES CITED—U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

-   U.S. Pat. No. 2,161,463 June 1939 Frost -   U.S. Pat. No. 2,174,884 October 1939 Kachel -   U.S. Pat. No. 2,313,701 March 1943 White -   U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,735 May 1963 Clark -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,585 January 1979 Semon -   D260154 August 1981 Dremel -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,511 June 1987 Mackie -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,018 September 1988 Inniger -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,056 July 1990 Bowers -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,385 January 1993 Barbador -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,057 November 1995 Bodford, Jr. -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,936 October 1996 Newgarden et al. -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,471 November 1996 Robinson et al. -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,979 August 1997 Blue -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,024 August 1999 Lao -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,982 May 2004 Appelbaum et al. -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,922 December 2011 Paterson -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,216,094 July 2012 Seme -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,888,097 November 2014 Norrell -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,663,036 Mar. 4, 2014 Trieu

JUSTIFICATION

In our age of lack of mobility and free time, it is hard to overstate the value of increasing physical activity.

Gaming apparatus presented in this patent application has a very good possibility to provide ordinary people with an opportunity to be engaged in a physical activity in a settings of a gaming facility, a work place, a bar, a basement or even a living room.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1

FIG. 1 depicts a tennis-like game playing apparatus, as stated in claim 1, where:

a. Vertical bounce-back surface is outlined with a green and red masking tape. The red masking tape of the bounce-back surface identifies the bottom part of the bounce-back surface (mimicking the tennis net) and meant to be avoided from being hit by the player. The green masking tape of the bounce-back surface identifies the top part of the bounce-back surface and meant to be hit by the player. The model shown in this figure utilizes a wooden panel for bottom part of the bounce-back surface and a metal panel for the top part of the bounce-back surface, thus causing bouncing back ball to produce two distinguishably different sounds and helps the player to determine the quality of the strike.

b. Two-degrees sloped horizontal bounce-back surface is comprised of four two by four feet wooden panels. The slope ensures that the foul ball returns to the player without the need on the part of the player to walk towards the foul ball.

c. The top portion of the transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure is comprised of see-through curtain. The bottom portion of the transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure is comprised of mesh netting.

d. A tennis rocket and a tennis ball are examples of tools that may be used in playing the described apparatus.

The game is played by a single player who repetitively striks the said ball with the rocket against the vertical surface in a manner comparable to playing tennis with the ball bouncing back from the said vertical surface two to ten feet away from the said vertical surface.

FIG. 2

FIG. 2 depicts the top portion of the vertical surface of the tennis-like game playing apparatus. This top portion consists of two sections. The lower wider section is made of a two by four feet metal panel and it is covered with two layers of mesh netting. The upper narrower section is made of a smaller triangular metal panel and it is covered with four layers of mesh netting. Mesh netting absorbs the force of the high velocity balls thus providing the same bouncing distance of two to ten feet for a ball flying at a slow or a fast speed.

FIG. 3

FIG. 3 depicts a ping pong game playing apparatus, as stated in claim 11, where:

a. The vertical trapezoid shaped bounce-back surface is made of three metal panels

b. Two-degrees sloped horizontal bounce-back surface is made of three wooden panels, each one being two feet wide and four feet long.

c. A transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure is made of a see through plastic curtain.

d. The ping pong game is played by a player repetitively striking the pin pong ball with a pin pong rocket against the vertical surface with the ball bouncing back from the vertical surface.

e. The vertical surface is positioned at the higher end of the horizontal surface thus providing simple return of foul balls

f. The transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure is firmly attached to both sides and to the top of the said vertical surface, thus preventing the foul balls from flying astray.

g. The ping pong net is attached to the horizontal surface at the distance of one to two feet away from the vertical surface

FIG. 4

FIG. 4 depicts the vertical surface of the ping pong game playing apparatus stated in the claim 14 where:

a. This vertical surface consists of multiple metal sections and guitar strings strung vertically between some of the metal sections.

b. Different areas of the vertical surface produce a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section, thus distinguishable by a human ear or by a sound recognizing computing device (not shown). 

1. A game playing apparatus, as seen on FIG. 1, comprised of: a. Vertical bounce-back surface, b. Two-degrees sloped horizontal bounce-back surface, c. A transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure, d. A tennis rocket and e. A tennis ball, where f. Said vertical surface is of rectangular or trapezoid shape g. Said vertical surface is of 4 to 10 feet wide and 4 to 12 feet high h. Said horizontal surface is of rectangular shape, i. Said horizontal surface is of 4 to 8 feet wide and 8 to 20 feet long and j. Said horizontal surface is positioned 0 to 6 inches above the ground k. A player repetitively strikes the said ball with the said rocket against the said vertical surface in a manner comparable to playing tennis with the ball bouncing back from the said vertical surface two to ten feet away from the said vertical surface l. Said horizontal surface is positioned at an angle of two degrees towards the ground m. aid vertical surface is positioned at the higher end of the said horizontal surface thus providing simple return of foul balls n. Said transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure is firmly attached to both sides and to the top of the said vertical surface, thus preventing the foul balls from flying astray.
 2. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 1, where: a. The said horizontal bounce-back surface is comprised of three to nine panels b. The length of each said panel is twice as long as the width c. Each said panel is one to two feet wide and two to four feet long d. Said panels may be easily and seamlessly attached to each other thus forming rectangles of different sizes
 3. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 1, where the said vertical surface absorbs the force of high velocity balls thus providing the same bouncing distance of two to ten feet for a ball flying at a slow or a fast speed. FIG. 2 shows the vertical surface where the middle section is covered by the shock-absorbing multiple layered net
 4. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 1, where: a. The said vertical surface has two to ten sections b. Each one of said sections of the said vertical surface produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section. c. Each one of said sections produces up to five sound levels when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface with a different speed
 5. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 1, and a sound recognition computing device with a display, where: a. The said vertical surface has two to ten sections b. Each one of said sections produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section c. Each one of said sections produces up to five sound levels when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface with a different speed d. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the tone generated by a section of the said vertical surface when a ball strikes the said specific section e. The said sound recognition computing device displays the number from one to twenty on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 20 feet, where the said number corresponds to the said specific section f. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the level of the sound generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface and displays the number from 1 to five on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 20 feet, thus providing the player with the knowledge about the speed of the said ball striking the said vertical surface
 6. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 1, and a sound recognition computing device with a display, where: a. The said vertical surface has two to ten sections b. Each one of said sections produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface c. Each one of said sections produces up to five sound levels when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface with a different speed d. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the tone generated by a section of the said vertical surface when a ball strikes the said specific section e. The said sound recognition computing device displays the number from one to twenty on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 20 feet, where the said number corresponds to the said specific section f. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the level of the sound generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface and displays the number from 1 to five on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 20 feet, thus providing the player with the knowledge about the speed of the said ball striking the said vertical surface g. The said sound recognition computing device keeps the score of a game by accumulating product of numbers stated in above items e. and f. h. The said sound recognition computing device decreases the score by 100, each time the said sound recognition device detects a time period of two seconds or more, when no sound is generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface.
 7. A game playing apparatus comprised of: a. Vertical bounce-back surface, b. Horizontal bounce-back surface, c. A rocket, d. A ball and e. A sound recognition computing device with a display, where: f. A player repetitively strikes the said ball with the said rocket against the said vertical surface with the ball bouncing back from the said vertical surface g. Each one of said sections produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface h. Each one of said sections produces up to five sound levels when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface with a different speed i. Each said section is assigned a number based on the level of difficulty of striking the said section j. Said sound recognition computing device identifies and displays the number corresponding to the section hit by the ball k. Said sound recognition computing device measures and displays number 1 through 5; corresponding to the speed of a ball striking the said vertical surface l. Said sound recognition computing device keeps the score of a game by accumulating total of multiplied numbers stated in items i. and k. m. Said sound recognition computing device subtracts the score for each ten seconds interval the said sound recognition device does not detect a sound that is generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface.
 8. Method of playing a game utilizing the apparatus described in claim 7, where: a. The game lasts for a determined period of time b. The player is declared a winner if the score is above 0 when the game terminates c. The player is declared a looser if the score is below 0 when the game terminates
 9. Method of playing a game utilizing the apparatus described in claim 7, where: a. The game lasts for a determined period of time b. The player attempts to surpass the score reached in prior game by the same or by a different player.
 10. Method of playing a game utilizing the apparatus described in claim 7, where the player is declared a winner when the said score reaches a determined number.
 11. A game playing apparatus, as seen on FIG. 3, comprised of: a. Vertical bounce-back surface, b. Two-degrees sloped horizontal bounce-back surface, c. A transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure, d. A ping pong rocket, e. A ping pong ball, and f. A ping pong net, where g. Said vertical surface is of trapezoid shape h. Said vertical surface is of 2 to 6 feet wide and 2 to 4 feet high i. Said horizontal surface is of rectangular shape, j. Said horizontal surface is of 2 to 6 feet wide and 5 to 10 feet long k. Said horizontal surface is positioned 2 to 4 feet above the ground l. A player repetitively strikes the said ball with the said rocket against the said vertical surface in a manner comparable to playing ping pong with the ball bouncing back from the said vertical surface two to five feet away from the said vertical surface m. Said horizontal surface is positioned at an angle of two degrees towards the horizontal line n. Said vertical surface is positioned at the higher end of the said horizontal surface thus providing simple return of foul balls o. Said transparent trapezoid-shaped enclosure is firmly attached to both sides and to the top of the said vertical surface, thus preventing the foul balls from flying astray. p. Said ping-pong like net is attached to the said horizontal surface at the distance of one to two feet away from the said vertical surface
 12. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 11, where: a. Said horizontal bounce-back surface is comprised of three to nine panels, b. The length of each said panel is twice as long as the width c. Each said panel is one to two feet wide and two to four feet long d. Said panels may be easily and seamlessly attached to each other forming rectangles of different sizes e. Said rectangles may be laid on top of a table
 13. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 11, where the said vertical surface absorbs the force of high velocity balls thus providing the same bouncing distance of two to five feet for balls flying at slow or fast speeds. FIG. 4 shows the vertical surface where the middle section is covered by the shock-absorbing layer of guitar strings firmly strung vertically.
 14. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 11, where: a. The said vertical surface has two to ten sections b. Each one of said sections of the said vertical surface produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section. FIG. 4 shows the vertical surface where the middle section is covered by a layer of guitar strings firmly strung vertically where each said string produces a different distinguishable tone. c. Each one of said sections produces up to three sound levels when a ball strikes the said section of the said vertical surface with a different speed.
 15. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 11, and a sound recognition computing device with a display, where: a. The said vertical surface has two to ten sections b. Each one of said sections produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section c. Each one of said sections produces up to three sound levels when a ball strikes the said section with a different speed d. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the tone generated by a section of the said vertical surface when a ball strikes the said specific section e. The said sound recognition computing device displays the number from one to ten on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 11 feet, where the said number corresponds to the said specific section f. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the level of the sound generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface and displays the number from one to three on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 11 feet, thus providing the player with the knowledge about the speed of the said ball striking the said vertical surface
 16. A game playing apparatus as stated in claim 11, and a sound recognition computing device with a display, where: a. The said vertical surface has two to ten sections b. Each one of said sections produces a different distinguishable tone when a ball strikes the said section c. Each one of said sections produces up to three sound levels when a ball strikes the said section with a different speed d. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the tone generated by a section of the said vertical surface when a ball strikes the said specific section e. The said sound recognition computing device displays the number from one to ten on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 11 feet, where the said number corresponds to the said specific section f. The said sound recognition computing device consistently identifies the level of the sound generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface and displays the number from one to three on a display visible to the player from a distance of up to 11 feet, thus providing the player with the knowledge about the speed of the said ball striking the said vertical surface g. The said sound recognition computing device keeps the score of a game by accumulating product of numbers stated in above items e. and f. h. The said sound recognition computing device decrements the score by 30 each time the said sound recognition device detects a time period of two seconds or more when no sound is generated by a ball striking the said vertical surface. 